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Friday, 25 April 2014

Politics: Decision to be made on 20mph zone expansion

Road safety campaigners in Calderdale are waiting to see whether 20mph speed limits will be rolled-out in residential areas over the next three years.

Cabinet members at Calderdale Council will consider recommendations to reduce all 30mph speed limits in the distrcit to 20mph when they meet on Monday, April 28.

The proposals are one of three options suggested by council officers through a public consultation.

The three options being considered are to either gradually introduce the 20mph speed limit in all residential areas in Calderdale; introduce the speed limit near schools only; or to select areas which have high levels of road casualties.

Of the 1,200 residents who took part in the public consultation, 48 per cent preferred the first option, 36 per cent preferred the second, and 16 per cent preferred the third.

The proposed reduction of the speed limit is aimed at trying to reduce the amount of children who are killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents.

In the period 2011-12, children in Calderdale were almost twice as likely to be killed or seriously hurt in an accident than the national average.

The plans could also see the introduction of variable speed limits outside the district’s 22 schools on main roads.

The plans would see the introduction of 20mph limits between certain times to make it safer for children travelling to and from school.

There have also been calls for improvements to pavements and cycleways to encourage more people to walk and cycle.

Almost a fifth of residential roads in Calderdale already have a 20mph limit.